Aviation myths

In association with Airportwatch, we created a brochure called Aviation: The Plane Truth, which busts some myths about flying and airport expansion. Here are some highlights from the brochure.

Myth
More runways are essential

Truth
In February 2003, the Department for Transport re-ran its computer-forecasting model, now taxing aviation fuel at the same rate as petrol, and with VAT on aviation products. The results? No new runways would be needed anywhere in the UK to 2030.

Myth
Environmental organisations want to price people off planes

Truth
Introducing fair taxation to pay for the environmental impacts caused by aviation would probably result in fares staying the same in real terms – neither rising nor, as the Department for Transport has predicted, failing by as much as 44% by 2030.

The aviation industry's own figures show that the poorest 10% of people rarely fly. Nor are they likely to fly over the next 30 years, because of the overall cost of holidays. Even on budget airlines, 75% of trips are by people in social classes A, B and C. Most of the growth predicted for 2030 by the Department for Transport is by the wealthiest 10% flying overseas at weekends.

Myth
We can mitigate, and compensate for, the damage to our environment, heritage and countryside caused by aviation and airport expansion

Truth
The Government's airport expansion proposal mean that even if aircraft noise can be mitigated, more and more people will be affected by it. Some 100 of our irreplaceable ancient woods, several designated nature sites and more than 18 listed buildings will be threatened. And no measure can compensate for aviation's role in climate change.

Myth
Building new runways has clear economic benefits

Truth
In February 2003, the Department for Transport re-ran its computer-forecasting model. It showed that a new runway at Stansted would have a net economic 'disbenefit' of £400 million. And even where there are economic benefits, there is growing evidence that, in many cases, investment in other industries would contribute more to regeneration.

Myth
International agreements make it impossible to end aviation's privileged tax-free status, including tax-free fuel

Truth
The Government needs no international agreement to place VAT and fuel tax on domestic flights, and developments within the EU are already making taxation of flights within the EU likely. There is nothing to stop the Government increasing Air Passenger Duty.

Myth
We can meet our international obligation on climate change and still have unrestricted growth in aviation and airport expansion

Truth
Aviation is the UK's fastest-growing source of CO2 emissions and by 2010 the increase in emissions from aviation would wipe out the Government's Kyoto and domestic reductions programme.